Adjudication No. 876 (August 1996) [1996] APC 50

ADJUDICATION NO. 876 (August 1996)

The Australian Press Council has dismissed a complaint from Men for Equal Justice against the Central Coast Express Advocate over two reports dealing with representation of support groups in local courts.

The articles report on the differences between Wyong Domestic Violence Liaison Action Committee, a women's support group, and the Men for Equal Justice group, under the headlines "Support groups can't see eye to eye" and "Court precinct space is `unsafe' for women".

The women's group has been allocated an interview room at Gosford Court and allowed a place at Wyong Court, and the men's group has been given permission to set up a table in Gosford Court. The women, according to the reports, complained that the men's table could be "threatening" to women going to their rooms and its presence deterred women seeking their help.

Men for Equal Justice claim that the articles were written "without proper consultation" with them; they complain that the reports are unfair and continued to propagate what they regard as prejudice against men, and for women, in domestic violence matters.

The Press Council cannot agree. The reports have one minor error: representation of the men's group at Wyong Court was not "rejected" as stated in the article. It is true that the group was not given direct permission for "dedicated accommodation", but it was told that the matter was up to local court officials. Overall, the articles were fair to both sides and the complaint is unjustified.

The Press Council tried to mediate between the paper and the complainant, suggesting an article to explain Men for Equal Justice's position. This group, however, demanded an apology from the paper, and the Council believes that this is in no way necessary.

Among other matters raised by the complainant was the logo used on the second article which shows in silhouette a man raising his fist to a woman. This, says Men for Equal Justice, perpetuates the view that women are always the victims. The paper points out that the logo is that used in State Government publications. The Press Council believes that in its context its use was justifiable, but could have been avoided.